Low early PASI response could predict favourable outcomes for psoriasis patients on biologics

Greater treatment compliance and fewer flare-ups were seen in bio-naïve patients with psoriasis treated with biologic therapy who had an early Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score of ≤2.

Dr Nikolai Dyrberg (University of Copenhagen, Denmark) presented the findings of a Danish nationwide study that followed 1,684 patients with psoriasis receiving biologic therapy for the first time [1]. Median response time was 112 days. At baseline, 746 participants had a PASI of 0; 485 had a PASI between 0 and ≤2; 246 had a PASI >2 but ≤4; and 207 had a PASI >4. Defining a flare-up as any increase of their PASI score by ≥3, 42.8% of patients experienced flare-ups. However, patients with a lower PASI score during the first 6 months of treatment experienced longer flare-free periods. These outcomes were independent of drug, sex, age, weight, and use of methotrexate.

Dr Dyrberg’s team documented a more stable disease course, lower risk of flares, and decreased treatment discontinuation in bio-naïve patients with psoriasis treated with biologics who had a low early PASI response. Given these results, they recommend a treatment target of PASI ≤2 in the first year of treatment in this patient group.

 

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   1. Dyrberg Loft N. Risk of disease flares during first biologic therapy among patients with stable and controlled psoriasis: A Danish Nationwide Study. P1331, EADV Virtual Congres, 29-31 October 2020.

Posted on 2 November 202018 December 2020